Snow shovel

ABSTRACT

A snow shovel has a blade ending in a front leading cutting edge of wedge cross section. Rear vanes having coplanar bottom surfaces aligned with the cutting edge, terminate in a rounded trailing edge parallel to the leading edge. The blade leading edge can pivot upward about the trailing edge allowing the leading edge to clear irregular ground. The rear vanes cut through the snow to the ground surface, allowing minimal clearance by the leading edge and close snow removal.

The invention is directed to a snow shovel having a blade with bottomribs or vanes. These ribs or vanes both cut into the snow and allow theshovel to glide over uneven surfaces beneath the snow.

Although the invention is described and referred to specifically as itrelates to a blade having associated rear vanes for snow removal, itwill be understood that the principles of this invention are equallyapplicable to similar devices, structures and methods for snow removaland accordingly, it will be understood that the invention is not limitedto such devices, structures, machines and methods for snow removal.

BACKGROUND

In general snow shovels and scoops are used to clear paths and drivesand the like, which are usually asphalt, concrete or stone, in areaswhere the snow lies for some time. The earth freezes and thaws withtemperature variation, especially at the start and end of winter. Theresulting frost heaves the asphalt, concrete or stone of the path ordrive, breaking the smooth surface. Snow shovels and scoops inevitablycollide and jar with the heaved elements, to the annoyance of the user.The applicant has found that the modified shovel of the inventioncollides much less frequently, and glides much more smoothly over frostheaved surfaces.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 1,264,433, 30 Apr. 1918, Posten, teaches a shovel havingangled runners to carry the blade above surface obstructions. U.S. Pat.No. 2,545,226, 13 Mar. 1951, Claude, teaches a leaf scoop with frontguide bar having ridges and grooves for ground contact. U.S. Des. Pat.411,420, 22 Jun. 1999, Rose, teaches a snow shovel with longitudinalgrooved ridges curved at the front, which could be used to raise theblade edge over uneven surface. U.S. App. 2005/0184542, 25 Aug. 2005,Moreschini et al. teaches a shovel having a wedge protuberance extendingtwo inches backward and extending across the entire front of the blade,on encountering uneven surface, the handle is tilted down raising thefront of the wedge and allowing it to glide over uneven surface.

U.S. Des. Pat. 187,874, 10 May 1960, Cross, teaches a snow plough bladebacked by curved strips which would allow the blade to be raised toglide over uneven surfaces. Canadian Pat. 687,138, 26 May 1964, teachesa snow scoop with skids either tangential to the blade or further back,both sets of skids are used to raise the blade over uneven surface. U.S.Pat. No. 3,218,738, 23 Nov. 1965, Bowerman, teaches a roof snow scoopwith skids at the blade edge to space the blade edge from the roof. U.S.Des. Pat. 242,761, 21 Dec. 1976, DiCarlo, teaches a snow scoop with acircular disc side, which allows the blade edge to be raised overuneven, surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,287, 8 May 1979, Towsend, teaches ashovel blade with semirigid bristles projecting from its bottom, lettingthe blade edge clear uneven surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,474, 7 Jun.1983, Mechavich et al., teaches a snow hoe shoe (roof rake) with hoopshoes at the blade edge to space the blade edge from the roof. U.S. Pat.No. 5,511,327, 30 Apr. 1996, Jurkowski et al., teaches a shovel bladewith a squeegee projecting from its bottom, letting the blade edge clearuneven surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,413, 14 Oct. 1997, Hauck, teaches aroof rake with paired rollers at the blade edge, to space the blade edgefrom the roof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,949, 8 Dec. 1998, to Vosbikian,teaches a snow shovel with a recessed scraping (blade) edge to avoidsurface contact. U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,873, 28 Sep. 1999, Hess, teaches aroof rake with paired semicircular guides near the blade edge, to spacethe blade edge from the roof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,626, 18 Mar. 1980, Vondracek, teaches a scoop with afront edge angled flange to aid in gliding over uneven surfaces.

U.S. Pat. No. 173,209, 8 Feb. 1876, Campbell, teaches a scoop withrunners to prevent the blade edge touching the surface. U.S. Pat. No.180,543, 1 Aug. 1876, Campbell, teaches a scoop with runners to preventthe blade edge touching the surface, with small wheels at the leadingedge. U.S. Pat. No. 258,260, 23 May 1882, Staples, teaches a scoop withrunners U.S. Pat. No. 289,131, 27 Nov. 1883, Patten, teaches a box scoopwith runners, the blade edge is lowered in use. U.S. Pat. No. 787,921,25 Apr. 1905, Hooper, teaches a scoop with runners. U.S. Pat. No.1,445,952, 20 Feb. 1923, Hooper, teaches a scoop with runners. U.S. Pat.No. 1,678,135, 24 Jul. 1928, Crosman et al., teaches a scoop withrunners. U.S. Pat. No. 1,766,691, 24 June 1930, Rugg, teaches a scoopwith flat runners, the scoop is tilted down to collect snow. U.S. Pat.No. 2,933,836, 26 Apr. 1960, McKinley, teaches a scoop with a flushfront edge and curved runners to ease tipping or dumping snow. U.S. Des.Pat. 271,369, 15 Nov. 1983, Gesner, teaches a scoop with runners. U.S.Pat. No. 5,271,169, 21 Dec 1993, Konsztowicz, teaches a snow pusher withrunners, the blade may be raised to avoid snagging the ground.

U.S. App. 2005/0230985, 20 Oct. 2005, Thiele, Jr., teaches a shovel witha scalloped blade edge.

In general as is ascertained from the toboggan art, the function ofrunners, skids, ridges, or guides whether curved, bevelled, or flat isto reduce the frictional surface in contact with the snow, and thus thefriction itself. In combination with a shovel or scoop blade, they wouldlift the blade edge above the snow surface, and not clear snow from theground surface. Moreschini's flat wedge bottom pushes the blade upwardtoward the snow and away from the ground surface. None of the prior artteaches a snow shovel which both cuts down to the ground surface andglides smoothly over ground irregularities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one broad aspect the invention is directed to a snow removal device,most preferably a shovel, although some lighter forms of scoop mayembody the invention, comprising a blade having a horizontal groundengaging leading edge extending across the front of the blade and anarray of spaced apart vanes protruding from the rear of the blade,substantially perpendicular to the blade and the leading edge. The vaneshave bottom surfaces lying in a plane aligned with the leading edge,which is use is normally substantially horizontal. Typically both bladeand vanes are thin. Preferably the leading edge comprises a horizontalcutting edge extending across the front of the blade, and a wedgeextending rearward from the cutting edge. The wedge has a top surfaceangled upward and rearward of the cutting edge, a planar bottom surfaceextending rearward from the cutting edge. The top surface of the wedgecomprises the front surface of the blade, and the bottom surface of thewedge comprises the bottom surfaces of the vanes and the bottom surfaceof the blade. Usually the front surface of the blade curves upward andrearward. Usually the bottom surface of the blade is coplanar with thebottom surfaces of the vanes, unless the bottom surface of the blade isvanishingly thin. Preferably the rear ends of the bottom surfaces of thevanes are aligned substantially parallel to the leading edge and therear ends form a trailing edge. The trailing edge can be used to pivotblade, wedge, leading edge and cutting edge upward by the user. Morepreferably the rear ends of the bottom surfaces are rounded. Typicallythe blade is a sheet having opposed front and rear surfaces. Preferablythe blade is concave forward, curving upward from the leading edge.Conveniently the blade is part of the inner surface of a cylinder,although this is not essential, as those skilled in the art appreciate.Preferably the blade can pivot about the trailing edge.

In a second broad aspect the invention is directed to an improved snowremoval device having blade and attached shaft with handle, theimprovement comprises the blade having a horizontal ground engagingleading edge extending across the front of the blade and an array ofspaced apart vanes protruding from the rear of the blade, substantiallyperpendicular to the blade and the leading edge. The vanes have bottomsurfaces lying in a plane aligned with the leading edge, which is use isnormally substantially horizontal. Typically both blade and vanes arethin. Preferably the leading edge comprises a horizontal cutting edgeextending across the front of the blade, and a wedge extending rearwardfrom the cutting edge. The wedge has a top surface angled upward andrearward of the cutting edge and a planar bottom surface extendingrearward from the cutting edge. The top surface of the wedge is thefront surface of the blade, and the bottom surface of the wedgecomprises the bottom surfaces of the vanes and the bottom surface ofblade. Usually the front surface of the blade curves upward andrearward. Usually the bottom surface of the blade is coplanar with thebottom surfaces of the vanes, unless the bottom surface of the blade isvanishingly thin. Preferably the rear ends of the bottom surfaces of thevanes are aligned substantially parallel to the leading edge and therear ends form a trailing edge. The trailing edge can be used to pivotblade, wedge, leading edge and cutting edge upward by the user.Preferably the rear ends of the bottom surface are rounded. Typicallythe blade is a sheet having opposed front and rear surfaces. Typicallythe blade is concave forward, curving upward from the leading edge.Conveniently the blade is part of the inner surface of a cylinder,although this is not essential, as those skilled in the art appreciate.Preferably the blade can pivot about the trailing edge.

In a third broad aspect the invention is directed to a snow removaldevice comprising a blade, attached shaft with handle, and the blade hasa horizontal ground engaging leading edge extending across the front ofthe blade and an array of spaced apart vanes protruding from the rear ofthe blade and substantially perpendicular to the blade and the leadingedge, the vanes having bottom surfaces lying in a plane aligned with theleading edge, which is use is normally substantially horizontal.Typically both blade and vanes are thin. Preferably the leading edgecomprises a horizontal cutting edge extending across the front of theblade, and a wedge extending rearward from the cutting edge. The wedgehas a top surface angled upward and rearward of the cutting edge and aplanar bottom surface extending rearward from the cutting edge. The topsurface of the wedge is the front surface of the blade, and the bottomsurface of the wedge comprises the bottom surfaces of the vanes and thebottom surface of the blade. The rear ends of the bottom surfaces of thevanes are aligned substantially parallel to the leading edge to form atrailing edge. The rear ends of the bottom surface are rounded. Theblade is a sheet having opposed front and rear surfaces. The blade isconcave forward, curving upward from the leading edge. Conveniently theblade is part of the inner surface of a cylinder, although this is notessential, as those skilled in the art appreciate. The blade can pivotabout the trailing edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sectional side elevational view of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is illustrated by reference to preferred embodimentsthereof. Numeral 10 denotes the snow shovel of the invention. Snowshovel 10 has blade 12 having cylindrical sheet 14 which has an array ofvanes 16 projecting radially from the rear surface. Cylindrical sheet 14has leading ground engaging edge 18 from which the bottom edges 20 ofvanes 16 extend rearward. Leading edge 18 has cutting edge 36 and base38 substantially coplanar with bottom edges 20, which are aligned in aplane. Bottom edges 20 extend rearward to trailing edge 32. Leading edge18 normally is a wedge with an angle of about 20° extending rearwardfrom cutting edge 36, which is not critical, from about 15° or less toabout 25° or more work. Socket 22 is attached to the rear of blade 12,both directly and by struts 34, socket 22 and struts 34 are attached tocylindrical sheet 14 by conventional fasteners 40, which may be screws,nuts and bolts, pop rivets and the like. Socket 22 receives shaft 24,typically cylindrical and about 1 inch (2% cm) diameter. At the outerend of shaft 24′is handle socket 26 and conventional handle 28. In useleading edge 18 and cutting edge 36 slide along ground surface 30, shownin ghost, removing snow and ice, while surfaces 38 and 20 skim alongground surface 30. Blade 12 as shown is a portion of reinforced plasticsewer pipe, typically from 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) diameter and ⅛inch (3 mm) thick, measuring about 18 to 24 inches (about 45 to 60 cm)wide, with vanes 16 projecting about ½ to 1 inch (1 to 2½ cm) from sheet14, vanes 16 are about 1/16 to inch (1½ to 3 mm) thick and evenly spacedabout 1 inch (2½ cm) apart. Surface 38 is typically ¼ inch (6 mm) fromfront to rear, while surface 20 is about 1½ inch (3¾ cm) from front torear. Curved sheet 14 generally subtends an angle of a thirdcircumference) (120°) but this is not critical. In use of shaft 24should approximate 45° to the horizontal or vertical for convenience, atthis angle cutting edge 36 slides along ground surface 30, whilesurfaces 38 and 20 skim along either level or at a slight rearwardupward angle. In the presence of bumps handle 26 is lowered, cuttingedge 36 is raised pivoting upward about trailing edge 32 of surface 20,which is preferably rounded. At this angle cutting edge 36 clears mostbumps, while surface 20 of vanes 16 glide over them. The configurationof the leading ground engaging edge of the blade and the vanesimmediately rearward thereof has been found very effective in glidingover snow covered ground, level and irregular, while removing the snow.

The above-described details, materials and components are meant asillustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

As those skilled in the art would realize these preferred describeddetails and materials and components can be subjected to substantialvariation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution withoutaffecting or modifying the function of the described embodiments.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it isnot limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in theart that numerous modifications and variations form part of the presentinvention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature andscope of the claimed and described invention.

1. A snow removal device comprising a blade having a horizontal groundengaging leading edge extending across the front of said blade and anarray of spaced apart vanes protruding from the rear of said blade andsubstantially perpendicular to said blade and said leading edge, saidvanes having bottom surfaces lying in a plane aligned with said leadingedge.
 2. Device of claim 1, wherein said leading edge comprises ahorizontal cutting edge extending across the front of said blade, and awedge extending rearward from said cutting edge, said wedge having a topsurface angled upward and rearward of said cutting edge and a planarbottom surface extending rearward from said cutting edge.
 3. Device ofclaim 2, wherein said top surface of said wedge is comprises the frontsurface of said blade, and said bottom surface of said comprises thebottom surfaces of said vanes and the bottom surface of said blade. 4.Device of claim 1 wherein the rear ends of said bottom surfaces of saidvanes are aligned substantially parallel to said leading edge and saidrear ends form a trailing edge.
 5. Device of claim 4, wherein said rearends of said bottom surface are rounded.
 6. Device of claim 1, whereinsaid blade is a sheet having opposed front and rear surfaces.
 7. Deviceof claim 1, wherein said blade is concave forward, curving upward fromsaid leading edge.
 8. Device of claim 7, wherein said blade is part ofthe inner surface of a cylinder.
 9. Device of claim 4, wherein saidblade can pivot about said trailing edge.
 10. In a snow removal devicehaving blade and attached shaft with handle the improvement comprisingsaid blade having a horizontal ground engaging leading edge extendingacross the front of said blade and an array of spaced apart vanesprotruding from the rear of said blade and substantially perpendicularto said blade and said leading edge, said vanes having bottom surfaceslying in a plane aligned with said leading edge.
 11. Device of claim 10,wherein said leading edge comprises a horizontal cutting edge extendingacross the front of said blade, and a wedge extending rearward from saidcutting edge, said wedge having a top surface angled upward and rearwardof said cutting edge and a planar bottom surface extending rearward fromsaid cutting edge.
 12. Device of claim 11, wherein said top surface ofsaid wedge is the front surface of said blade, and said bottom surfaceof said wedge comprises the bottom surfaces of said vanes and the bottomsurface of said blade.
 13. Device of claim 10 wherein the rear ends ofsaid bottom surfaces of said vanes are aligned substantially parallel tosaid leading edge and said rear ends form a trailing edge.
 14. Device ofclaim 13, wherein said rear ends of said bottom surface are rounded. 15.Device of claim 10, wherein said blade is a sheet having opposed frontand rear surfaces.
 16. Device of claim 10, wherein said blade is concaveforward, curving upward from said leading edge.
 17. Device of claim 16,wherein said blade is part of the inner surface of a cylinder. 18.Device of claim 13, wherein said blade can pivot about said trailingedge.
 19. A snow removal device comprising a blade, attached shaft withhandle wherein said blade has a horizontal ground engaging leading edgeextending across the front of said blade and an array of spaced apartvanes protruding downward from the rear of said blade and substantiallyperpendicular to said blade and said leading edge, said vanes havingbottom surfaces lying in a plane aligned with said leading edge. 20.Device of claim 19, wherein said leading edge comprises a horizontalcutting edge extending across the front of said blade, and a wedgeextending rearward from said cutting edge, said wedge having a topsurface angled upward and rearward of said cutting edge and a planarbottom surface extending rearward from said cutting edge wherein saidtop surface of said wedge is the front surface of said blade, and saidbottom surface of said wedge comprises the bottom surfaces of said vanesand the bottom surface of said blade and said rear ends of said bottomsurfaces of said vanes are aligned substantially parallel to saidleading edge to form a trailing edge, and; said rear ends of said bottomsurface are rounded, and said blade is a sheet having opposed front andrear surfaces, and said blade is concave forward, curving upward fromsaid leading edge, and said blade can pivot about said trailing edge.